The Fukushima crisis is eroding years of Japanese efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming, as power plants running on oil and natural gas fill the electricity gap left by now-shuttered nuclear reactors.

In World War II's final moments in Europe, Associated Press correspondent Edward Kennedy gave his news agency perhaps the biggest scoop in its history. He reported, a full day ahead of the competition, that the Germans had surrendered unconditionally at a former schoolhouse in Reims, France.

Bombs hidden in two vehicles exploded outside a police station in the Russian republic of Dagestan, killing at least 13 people and wounding scores. Authorities said Friday it was probably a suicide attack by Islamic insurgents.

The former chief executive of Hong Kong developer Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. was arrested in a high profile anti-corruption probe that has already targeted his billionaire brothers and a top official.

China said Friday that Chen Guangcheng can apply to study abroad in a possible step toward resolving a diplomatic standoff with the U.S. over the blind activist, who said he felt increasingly isolated and in danger at a Beijing hospital.

Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai will resign by the end of the month as part of an agreement Nepal's major political parties reached overnight to create a new coalition government, an aide said Friday.

Four of the last reporters and photographers willing to cover crime stories have been slain in less than a week in violence-torn Veracruz state, where two Mexican drug cartels are warring over control of smuggling routes and targeting sources of independent information.

A bombing in a Pakistani market close to the Afghan border killed 16 people Friday, officials said, a day after the U.S. released letters seized from Osama bin Laden's compound that criticized Pakistani militants for killing too many civilians.

The unrepentant brother of the man who killed Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was released from prison Friday after serving 16 1/2 years for complicity in a murder that stunned Israel and according to some destroyed an opportunity for peace.

SAN DIEGO ---- Quentin Jammer walked by media members gathered outside the Chargers' locker room without a word. When asked to comment on departed former teammate Junior Seau, the Chargers' senior member turned a shoulder and said, "Sorry, guys. I've got to run."

When captain Dustin Brown crunched Alex Pietrangelo with a hit along the boards in the opening minutes, the Los Angeles Kings knew they hadn't lost whatever fire has driven them deep into the playoffs.

Haitian lawmakers have approved President Michel Martelly's choice for a new prime minister, ending a two-month impasse that had hampered the country's efforts to rebuild from the devastating 2010 earthquake.

Clearing cars out of center, adding bypass bridge now go to Park and Recreation Board

Brandon Morrow wasn't quite as stingy as Jered Weaver was the night before on the Angel Stadium mound. The Toronto Blue Jays' right-hander gave up three more hits than Weaver _ while matching his nine scoreless innings.

Kevin Durant finally found his postseason shooting touch to get Oklahoma City off to a quick start, and the Thunder never trailed on the way to a 95-79 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night for a commanding 3-0 series lead over the defending NBA champs.

Mariano Rivera's career may have ended Thursday night, not while basking in the glow of adoring fans at Yankee Stadium, but in agonizing pain on the outfield grass before a few thousand fans in Kansas City.

A blind Chinese activist at the center of a diplomatic standoff between the United States and China said Friday his situation is "dangerous," and that American officials have been blocked from seeing him for two days and friends who have tried to visit have been beaten up.

Stress, family medical history or possibly even poison led to the death of Vladimir Lenin, contradicting a popular theory that a sexually transmitted disease debilitated the former Soviet Union leader, a UCLA neurologist said Friday.

Iranian voters headed to the polls on Friday for a second round of parliamentary elections that are likely to see conservative opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad consolidate their hold on the legislature.

Mike Moustakas matched a career high with three RBIs and made a defensive gem in the ninth, helping the Kansas City Royals to a 4-3 victory Thursday night over the New York Yankees, who were anxiously awaiting news on injured closer Mariano Rivera.